Latex-cup.



J. WEBSTER.

919,098. Pataubad Apr. 20, 1909.'

JAMES WEBSTER, OF VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA.

LATEX-CUP.

Specificaton of Letters Patent.

Patented April 20, 1909.

Application filed August 21, 1908. Serial No. 4:49,638.

T o all wwm tt may concem:

Be it known that I, JAMES VEBSTER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Victorville, in the county of San Bernardino and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Latex-Cups, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to latex cups, the Object of the invention being to provide a simple, practical and economical cup having means for securing the same to a tree for the purpose of collecting` and catching the latex or sap or caoutchouc.

The cup hereinafter more particularly descrbed is adapted to establsh a close junction or fit between itself and the tree so as to catch all the latex and also prevent dirt or other foreign matter from finding its way into the cup.

`Wlith the above and other objects in view, the nature of which Will more fully appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as herein fully clescribed, illustrated and claimed.

The accompanying drawing represents a perspective view of the improved latex cup, showing the lid thereof lifted.

The cup comprises a downwardly tapering or contracted body 1 having a wide mouth 2 and provided with a hinged lid hinged as shown at 4 to the outer edge of the cup or in other words, that edge which lies farthest from the tree when the cup is fastened to the tree. The body 1 of the cup is wedge-shaped, the face of the wedge being disposed upwardly and forming a wedge upon the month of the cup which is normally closed by means of the hinged lid 3. At its inner side or that side which is disposed toward the tree, the cup is provided with a V-shaped flange 5 forming a cutting edge which ls adapted to be driven slightly into the tree so as to insure the running of the latex into the cup. At the same side of the cup thepe is arranged a plurality By locating the spurs 6 as shown, the:v

lower spur may be driven into the tree by striking a hammer against the opposite or j outer side of the cup adjacent to the bottom angle thereof, the said bottom angle render- 2 ing that portion of the cup specially strong to withstand the blows of the hammer without injuring the cup. By reason of the fact that the upper prong or spur is located at the bottom angle of the flange 5, said spur lnay be driven into the tree by striking with a hammer against the inner face of that side of the cup which is disposed next to the tree. The hinged cover 3 not only covers and rests upon the top edge of the body of the cup but also rests on the top edge of the flanges 5.

I claim:

A latex cup comprising a downwardly contracting wedge-shaped body having a wide mouth at the top, a V-shaped flange proj ecting from one side of the cup adjacent to the month thereof, a plurality of fastening spurs projecting from the same side of the cup as said flange, one spur being located adjacent to the V-shaped bottom edge of the cup and another spur being located at the bottom angle of the V-shaped flange, and a hinged lid 'covering the month of the cup and also covering the space comprised between the reversely inclined portions of theV V-shaped flange.

In testimony whereof I atfiX my Signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES WEB STER. 

